Crowds surge to catch glimpse of 69-foot Bada Ganesh as Hyderabad prepares for mega procession

The towering 69-foot Khairatabad Ganesh, this year themed on ‘Operation Sindoor – Vishwashanti Maha Shakti’, is once again at the centre of Hyderabad’s festive frenzy. Thousands of devotees have been thronging the narrow lanes that lead up to the pandal, queuing patiently to catch a glimpse of the brightly decorated idol that looms over the area like a sentinel of devotion.

By late evening, the atmosphere resembled a carnival, with drummers playing in unison, devotees raising slogans, and mobile flashlights flickering in the air. The idol, partly veiled in scaffolding and cloth, is at once awe-inspiring. “Every year, we wait for this moment, no matter how long the queue is,” said Anitha, a resident of Kukatpally, who had been waiting for over two hours with her family.

Another devotee, Prakash, remarked, “The sheer size of the idol makes you forget the wait and the crowd. It feels like Lord Ganesh himself has come down to bless us.”

Singari Raj Kumar, chairman of the Khairatabad Ganesh Utsav Committee, said that the idol’s kalyanam would take place on Monday around 9 a.m., adding that all security and logistic arrangements were ‘on point’ this year. He emphasised that the Samithi would begin preparations for immersion a day in advance to ensure that the process is completed by afternoon on September 6.

“It’s not just the size, it’s the feeling. Just standing before the 69-foot idol gives you goosebumps,” said Ramesh, a devotee from Secunderabad. “We come every year, but this time the crowd feels bigger than ever. The darshan is worth every bit of the wait, rain and the traffic,” said Kavita, who had travelled from Warangal with her family.

Security around the pandal has been tightened considerably, with thousands of visitors pouring in every day. Hyderabad City Police Commissioner C.V. Anand said that nearly 60,000 to 70,000 people visit the Khairatabad Ganesh daily, with weekend footfalls touching one to two lakh. To manage the surge, about 19,000 police personnel from Hyderabad have been deployed, along with 8,500 reinforcements from other districts, 42 platoons, 10 CAPF companies, and Octopus commandos, bringing the total to nearly 30,000 personnel on duty for the immersion day.

Surveillance is being strengthened with drones, CCTV cameras and QR code-based stickers for procession vehicles. Joint control centres have been set up at key points such as NTR Marg and People’s Plaza, while a 24-hour command centre will function at TG ICCC, Banjara Hills, on immersion day. Cranes and diversions can already be seen installed at immersion points, including Hussainsagar, Mir Alam Tank, Rajanna Bavi and NTR Stadium, and the number will be scaled up to 40 by September 6 in coordination with GHMC and R&B officials.

Amid concerns over rain, police have advised pandal organisers to exercise caution with electrical connections, use authorised lines and appoint volunteers to oversee barricading and crowd movement. “Safety must be as much a priority as devotion,” Mr. Anand cautioned.

As the festival edges towards its climax, Hyderabad braces itself for the massive immersion procession that will snake through Tank Bund, Necklace Road and other points. For now, the Khairatabad Ganesh continues to reign supreme, watched over by thousands of eyes filled with faith, awe and festive fervour.